If you’ve found yourself here, you’re probably familiar with Ayurveda. And for those of you who aren’t, welcome!
Ayurveda is the holistic healing science of India.
Ayurveda, often referred to as “the science of longevity,” is an ancient medical system that was conceptualized through the observation of the micro and macro expression of the five elements — earth, water, fire, air, and space (or ether). The understanding is that by bringing these elements and their associated qualities within an individual’s body back into balance, true and lasting wellness becomes available. It is the imbalance of the elements, and their associated qualities, that is the underlying cause of any kind of disease or discomfort.
Ayurveda groups these five elements into three basic types of energy, or doshas, that are present in everybody and everything. The three doshas are vata, pitta, and kapha. Vata is made up of the ether and air elements. It embodies the energy of movement. Pitta is the fire element. It embodies the energy of transformation. Kapha is a combination of the water and earth elements. It embodies the energy of building and lubrication.
As you learn more about Ayurveda, you will notice that we talk a lot about ways to balance our doshas… but what about taking it a step further? For just a moment, let’s shift the conversation toward ways to intentionally harness the beautiful qualities of a dosha during a particular time of year.
Fall is the vata season and vata is the dosha of creativity, inspiration, joy, and clarity. We all have vata dosha within us, which means we all have the potential to access these aspects of ourselves. When vata is thriving, these qualities have the opportunity to shine.
Inspired vata may show up as a new insight, a compelling understanding of yourself, an excitement for what is possible, an opportunity to create, an ever-evolving curiosity, a genuine willingness to adapt, or a desire for authentic communication. These are ways that the gifts of vata dosha manifest, and they are easily available to you this season.
When vata is unattended to (in the cooler seasons especially), it acts out. We experience the change in seasons more like a windstorm than the perfect breeze. We may become overwhelmed, easily distracted, indecisive, anxious and unable to finish what we’ve started. In these moments our vata is telling us that it is needing more care and attention. This is the real-life practice of listening to our bodies and learning to identify our needs. When vata’s needs are met, our vata qualities thrive.
How can we harness the energy of vata season to experience more creativity and clarity?
In order to access these aspirational qualities of vata, we must tend to vata – we must be in relationship with our doshas, which means being in deep relationship with ourselves.
When tending to vata in the fall, it is important to stay grounded. The most potent clarity and creativity come through when our vata knows that we are safe and supported.
We must also nourish our bodies with warm foods and beverages. Without this level of thoughtful nourishment, vata can become too light and clear, leading to a feeling of anxiety or overwhelm, rather than flow.
Vata also loves to be warm and cozy. We can deepen our relationship with this dosha by setting up an especially beautiful and relaxing space, which prioritizes easy access to simple comforts. That might mean, added a super soft blanket to the couch or hanging a new piece of art. It could also mean decreasing visual clutter by making sure things are put in their proper place.
What happens when vata is overstimulated?
Another important way to tend to vata is by reducing excess stimulation. (For many of us this may mean less screen time.) When our senses our overstimulated, vata becomes disoriented within us — rather than clarity, we experience chaos and overwhelm. When we allow ourselves to be present with our sensory experience enough to slow down and really notice how it feels to be in our bodies, we can come back to ourselves in a way that allows us to linger in moments of clarity and creativity as they unfold.
For some, the stillness that occurs right before clarity and creativity emerge gives rise to more discomfort… in those moments, we invite ourselves back to our senses — simplifying the stimulation to what you can see, feel, touch, taste and smell in the moment. Sometimes vata needs reminders to stay in the present, because she is the energy of movement. Be patient, and invite her back gently. Just like all aspects of ourselves, our doshas need tending to. They need intentionality. And they need to be honored and respected, as we would with any relationship.
How can we be in reciprocity with vata?
When vata is tended to, it will offer so many gifts. To be present with vata dosha in vata season, is to offer extra care to the tender parts of ourselves. It is to be in reciprocity — giving attention, and receiving joy and inspiration.
This autumn, consider the following offerings to vata:
A cup of warm tea
A cozy blanket
A tidy space
A walk in nature
A soothing oil massage
A nourishing meal
An invigorating conversation
A morning journal entry
A mind and body Reset
As we give ourselves the space to find more peace… clarity, creativity, and inspiration naturally swirl toward us — light and clear, just like the wind. When we act with intention to tend to our doshas, we set ourselves up to receive exactly what is available to us with each passing season. In vata season, we feel ourselves craving more time at home, we notice ourselves revisiting past curiosities with fresh eyes or feeling a call toward new projects entirely. When autumn comes, don’t resist the craving to ground into what inspires you. Instead, lean into these energies. Nurture them and tend to them. These are the gifts of vata season presenting themselves to you, offering a change.
Ground in more deeply this Autumn with a nourishing cleanse.
The Reset for Resilience is a 21-day program, centered around a five-day detox, that is designed to improve digestion, enhance immunity and promote clarity. This Ayurvedic cleanse for body and mind is the ideal way to support your body to do its best, while inviting you to create meaningful space for inspiration, reflection and restoration. Join the guided group cleanse from the comfort of your own home during the Summer to Fall and Winter to Spring seasonal transitions — and be led by the Certified Ayurvedic Practitioners of Cultivate Balance.
